The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) condemned a retired naval officer yesterday for making pro-Beijing remarks at a Chinese military event, and voiced support for legal changes to address such conduct.
According to Chinese media, former lieutenant commander Lu Li-shih (呂禮詩) visited Chinese naval vessels in Qingdao City last Thursday, where he toured a guided-missile destroyer and a frigate during an event marking the 77th anniversary of the Chinese Navy.
During an interview with Chinese state-run media aboard one of the ships, Lu stated: “Seeing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) progress and understanding where the true strength of the Motherland lies, I don’t mean to say one would go weak in the knees... but because both sides of the Strait are one family, the Motherland’s strength also represents Taiwan’s security.”
Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei Times
He also praised the Urumqi warship, saying, “From the vessel maintenance to the cleanliness inside the cabins and the arrangement of promotional materials, it’s clear the PLA Navy is well-prepared.”
In response, the MAC said certain individuals have repeatedly used PLA activities to provoke Taiwan’s society and undermine its democratic values. The government will assess whether such behavior violates existing laws.
The MAC further stated that it would investigate whether Lu’s actions violated any regulations, noting that similar incidents have raised concerns about threats to Taiwan’s democratic system. It also mentioned proposed amendments to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例, which would impose penalties for certain conduct by retired military personnel, and called for public support for these changes.
In a separate statement yesterday, the Veterans Affairs Council also condemned Lu’s actions, asserting they were in direct opposition to the military’s duty to safeguard the country, even after retirement.
It described his remarks and conduct as a betrayal of both military and public trust and expressed its support for legal reforms.
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